HC Deb 26 July 1982 vol 28 cc742-4
31. Sir David Price

asked the Lord President of the Council whether he will consider taking appropriate steps to change the parliamentary year so that the new Session of Parliament is opened in January rather than in the autumn.

Mr. Biffen

I have no such proposals to make to the House.

Sir David Price

Is my right hon. Friend aware that until the 1930s the new Session of Parliament always commenced at the beginning of the year? Does my right hon. Friend agree that there is great merit in bringing together the parliamentary year, the fiscal year and the calendar year so that, in common with other organisations, Parliament can consider the Government's legislative programme along with their fiscal measures at the same time? That is outwith the issue of how long we sit. Is it not time for a necessary return to older practices?

Mr. Biffen

I have no wish to stand at this Box as a great reformer. Such a major innovation should be undertaken only after careful study. Perhaps the initial study should be undertaken by my right hon. Friend the Member for Worthing (Mr. Higgins), who is currently conducting a major overhaul of our financial procedures.

Mr. Gordon Wilson

In spite of the persistence of the Leader of the House in having the House meet in July, does he realise that the Scottish school holidays are now halfway through and that holding the Summer Recess in the autumn does not suit many of us? Further, will the right hon. Gentleman say why the last major piece of business is a Scottish matter and, therefore, an aggravation for those Members who would otherwise have gone away with their families?

Mr. Biffen

I have a great deal of sympathy with Scottish Members over the present pattern of business. There is not an immediate and overwhelming reason why a spill-over in September would be more acceptable to the House than a spill-over in October. This matter is intimately related to our financial year, and I refer to my previous answer.

Mr. English

Will the right hon. Gentleman take back his words about reform? After all, he is only the second leader of the House after Dick Crossman to separate decisions on discussions from the discussions themselves, as from last week.

Mr. Biffen

Perhaps that shows what great errors I commit when I depart from the tenets of Conservatism.